Liquid fuel burner



March 10, 1942. w. c. MASON LIQUID FUEL BURNER Filed July 25, 1938 v l/EN 7-02 l \/////'0/77 6. M05027 $9 4 7- TOR/V5 Y 3 invention particularlyrelates to produced;

Pa tentedMar. 10, 1942 OFFICE William Mason, Albany, N Y. Application mes, 193s,;ser a1-Ne.-,221,07r

a burner which le -particularly adapted to be employed in burning ordinaryfueloil and which is charactere' izedby its highefiiciency, cleanliness, combustion without odor and with comparatively little noise. A firstobject of myinvention isto provide a liquid fuel' burner which is so constructed and arra'ngedasito effect acombustion orebur'ning of ,1

aliquid: fuel or fuel'oil in a flame of lblue coloration which flame is quite stable insthat it cannot be inadvertently extinguished" very easily and, under normal operating conditions, the character of the name therethroughout remains substan tially the same; Another'object is to provide a fuelburner or: the foregoing character which is of high efficiency and "will effect fuel' combustion without the formation of" carbon, or, carbonaceous deposits. A still further object is? to provide a fuel burner, which is capable of beingadjusted toaco'msume liquid fuel at'fdes'ired rates within a comparatively wide'range whereby the burner may be controlled substantiallyin the samefacile manner as acommon, illuminating gasz burner o'rjet.a1 l l i-wWith these and otherobjectsin view, my in vention; includes the novel method of producing clean and efficient combustioniof a liquid fuel and the combination and arrangement of elements described belowand illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which-;- l i if Fig 1 is a vertical, sectional,viewltaken'through a preferred form of my burner assembly;

Fig. 2 is a sectional, plan viewstaken in about the plane 2--2 of Fig. 1 i l L i i i Fig." 3 is a sectional, plan view similar to Fig. 2 but taken in about the plane 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, plan view, of an element comprising a veritiiri likepassage'and associated support therefor [and r q I 'FigQSis a so ewhat schematic) representation of the, manner in whichfcombustion "of a liquid fuelis efiected with my burner.

r; have illustrated and will herein describe a preferred embodiment of: myfiliquid'fuel burner whereinthe various elements thereof are er, ranged about avertical axis and with the liquid fuel atomizing nozzle disposed to discharge an atomized liquid fuel in substantially a vertical direction, but it is to be understood of course manne said axis maybe arranged horizontally or in other directions; However, the vertical arrahgement ofthe axis; above referred'to, is preferred because combustion occurs under better control and a substantially symmetrical name is s joi irns. (01; 153 -28 acter which will produce a high degree of atomization of the liquid fuel, is inserted inahousing 4 which may be formed integral withplate l and suspended therebelow by means of arms 5,: the

spacedarrangement of which is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. The'housing 4 is preferably provided with vertically extending slots 6 within which nipples 1, which afford ameans for making pipe connections to the nozzle, may pass when the nozzle body is inserted within housing 4. Aset screw :8, as illustrated in Fig. 2, may be employed to retain the nozzle3 within the housing 4. The platewlois provided with an opening 9 which is preferably axially aligned ficeclfl of ithe nozzle and of sufiicient sizeto permit the-unrestrictedpassageof a jet of liquid fuel discharged from the orifice lfl' of the nozzle. Underinormal operating conditions when a jet of liquid fuel is discharged from the nozzle 3 and throughthe openings, air may pass between the arms 5 and pass upwardly through the opening 9 withthe liquid fuel jet.

'A-pla'te II is preferably provided and arranged and H andbafile I 3 may be secured in superposed, spaced relationby means'of spacers IE, through which threaded rods I! passand nuts I8 and I9 serveto retainthe respective elements in assembled relationship. For purposes of illustration, three rods and associatedspacers are shown and the upper ends of said rods may be bent over at right angles and are adapted to be inserted through openings 20 in a generally concave, {dome-like or hollow, semi-spherical ele- The axis of dome?! is preferably arranged to coincide" with the axis of the burner assembly indicated by the dot-dash lineA-A and the openings 9, Iiand 14, respectively, of the plates and baffle l3 are preferably arranged with their axes insubstantial coincidence with the axes of the dome 2| and nozzle}? or, in other words,'with theaxis A- -A." r domefzl is preferably imperforate. this construction,

With

with the discharge ori a jetof liquid fuel discharged ving l2.

from the nozzle 3 will pass vertically within the dome 2| and, assuming that it is ignited, the flames will approach the inner surface of the top of the dome and be deflected or mushroomed and thence pass downwardly, in part impinging upon the baffle l3. The lower periphery of the dome is preferably spaced from baffle l3.

' In the preferred embodiment of my invention, I propose to employ an element 22 which is formed with a Venturi-like passage 23. The element 22 is provided with a circumferential shoulder 24 which is adapted to rest upon arms 25 which may be formed integral with plate II, as illustrated in Fig. 4 and project within the open- The inlet 26 to the converging portion 21 of passage 23 is preferably spaced above the plate I and the upper periphery of element 22 forming the discharge end of the diverging portion 28 of said passage preferably abuts the baffle I3 adjacent the opening l4 therein. The edge of baffle I3 surrounding the central opening l4 therein is illustrated as slightly upturned as indicated at 29. This construction is provided merely to prevent liquid fuel from running over the edge of the baffle in the event of an accumulation thereof on the baffle in the event of failure of ignition, for example, or any other cause. The upwardly and outwardly curved rim ill: of bafile |3 also fulfills this function and, at the same time, directs a generally upward flow of the flames after impingement upon the baflie.

The Venturi-like passage serves to restrict spreading of the jet of liquid fuel from the nozzle and to increase its velocity as it passes'there-- through with additional air which is drawn upwardly into the passage. The stream will, therefore, limit the amount of heat which is radiated downwardly to the nozzle and prevent substantial injury.

As a preferred means for igniting the combustible fuel mixture, I have provided electrodes indicated generally at 30 which pass through the walls of the element'22 and terminate in spaced relation to form a spark gap. For this purpose, element 22 is preferably formed of an electrical insulating material such as porcelain. For holding the electrodes in position, plate I may be cast with bosses 3| which are drilled to provide an opening through which the electrodes are passed and the insulating body portions thereof are adapted to be retained in said openings. Spaced lugs may also be cast integral with plate I to depend therefrom on each side of the openings in the bosses 3|. lugs through which a bolt 32 may be passed to engage a shoulder on the body portion of the electrodes, when properly positioned, and thereby retain them in position and a nut 33 serves to secure the bolts 32 inplace. By means of this arrangement, the electrodes may be easily withdrawn from the mountings therefor for replacement or other purposes.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the spaced ends of the electrodes 30 are preferably arranged to lie in a vertical plane substantially tangent to the constricted zone of the Venturi-like passage so that the electrodes will not project into the jet of liquid fuel passing therethrough nor will they be subjected to the intense heat of the jet flame but a spark passing therebetween will be drawn into and serve to ignite the atomized fuel and air mixture. I

The operation of and the manner in which proper combustion is produced in my burner are as follows. .A pipe forconducting liquid fuel is Openings are provided in said connected to one of the nipples l of the nozzle 3 anda pipe for conducting air or other atomizing medium under pressure is connected to the other ized fuel will be ignited by the spark so produced a between the electrodes 30 and, initially, a jet of flame will be cast into the dome 2|. The flame will initially impinge upon the inner top surface of the dome and thereafter will mushroom with a layer of a gas,. containing insufiicient oxygen to support combustion, between the flame and the top of the dome and the flame will then pass downwardly in a return flow toward the bafile l3. The flame will there be divided and some will pass outwardly between the lower rimof dome 2| and baffle |3 while some will curve inwardly toward the jet of flame passing upwardly from the Venturi-like passage. A portion of the inwardly curving flame will be slightly drawn into and about the discharge end 28 of the Venturi-like passage and combine with the balance of the returning flame flowing inwardly toward the jet to providea zone of extremely high temperature about the jet andin close proximity to the point of ignition' thereof. The path of the flame is illustrated by arrows in Fig. 5 and, in practice, it

has been found that by causing the flame to flow in the manner above described that the small globules or particles of fuel which are suspended in the jet discharged from the nozzle are completely gasified before they impinge upon .the dome 2|. The atomized liquid, as a jet, is first vaporized and ultimately transformed into a substantially dry gaseous product.

As will be noted, the inlet to the Venturi-like passage is. preferably spaced from the plate I whereby, as also indicated by arrows in Fig; 5, air is drawn into the Venturi-like passage from the space between the plates and H. Someof the air passing between these plates and toward the jet will pass upwardly through opening l2 in plate II and thence outwardly and upwardly about the curved rim of bafile l3 mixing with the unclonsumed gases flowing adjacent the inner surface of the dome and issuing from beneath the dome whereby to effect substantially complete combustion thereof. Furthermore, air is initially admitted through the space between the discharge end of the nozzle and the edge of opening 9 in plate I to the jet issuing from the discharge orifice of the nozzle.

By burning a liquid fuel in the foregoing manner a flame which is characterized by a com pletely blue coloration is produced. Substantially uniform .temperatures are found to exist throughout a flame of this character and it is extremely stable. By the termfstable, I mean that it cannot be blown out very easily and the general character of the flame remains the same under normal operating conditions. For example, the flame may be subjected to a compare tively strong blast of air in a direction crosswise thereof or across the jet without extinguishing it. Furthermore, the burner will not produce carbonaceous deposits of any character and this is true even though the flames are caused to strike'a chilled, highly polished metallic surface.

In operation, combustion will occur withpractically no noise and this feature is very desirable where the burners are to be used in kitchens and like places. i w e It is to be noted that the baffle l3 and dome 2| are soarranged as to create sufficient pressure in the zone defined therebetween that the velocity of the jet from the nozzle, after issuing from the Venturi-like passage, is very quickly reduced and. furthermore, the amount of air admitted to the ,space beneath the dome is limited. Hence,un

der normal operating conditions and after the burner has been put in operation, a layer of substantially non-burning gases fflows adj acent the interior surface of the dome acting substantially aS a cushion for the jet thereby preventing flamesfrom impingingon the dome or at least insulating to a considerableextent the dome from the flames and, also, effecting a comparatively quiet burner operation.

The over-all height'of the assembled burner, assuming a vertical jet arrangement, maybe very limited because, to produce thedesired results,

above referred to, the respective elements should be relatively closely associated. Hence, the

It should also be notedthat due to the character of the combustion which occurs in my burner it may be regulated within limits to consume fuel at different rates and the flame may be regulated or adjusted, or, in other words. turned up and down substantially in the same manner and with the same facility as an ordinary illuminating gas flame.

Though I have referred to the element 2| as a generally concave, dome or dome-like element, it is to {be understood that the term dome, as employed herein and in the appended claims is intended to designate an element which is so shaped as to cause a returnfiow of hot gases or flames about the jet of fluid issuing from a nozzle directed toward said element.

While I have described my invention in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the words which I have used are words of description and not of limitation and that changes within the purview of the appended claims may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of my invention in its broader aspects.

What I claim is: 1. In a liquid fuel burner, the combination with a hollow dome open at the bottom of a fuel atomizing nozzle having its discharge orifice arranged vertically beneath and substantially axially aligned with said dome, a substantially horizontal plate element disposed betweensaid dome and nozzle and placed sufficiently close to said dome to be impinged upon by the flame deflected by said dome when the jet of atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle is ignited, said plate element being provided with an opening through which a jet of atomized fuel discharged from said nozzle may pass, and a second plate spaced below said first place and provided with an opening of sufiicient area to permit the unrestricted "2-4 In a liquid fuel burner, the combination with a hollowdome open at the bottom of a fuelatomizing nozzle having its'discharge orifice arranged vertically beneath and substantially axially aligne'dwith saiddome and a substantially, horizontal plate element disposed between said dome and nozzle and placed sufficiently close to said dome to be impinged upon by the flame deflected'by said dome when the jet of atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle is ignited, said plate element being providedwith an opening through which said jet may pass.

3; In a liquid fuel burner, the combination with a hollow dome open at the bottom of a fuel atomizing nozzlehaving its discharge orifice arranged vertically beneath and substantially axially aligned with said dome,means forming a venturi-like passage substantially axially aligned with said dome and disposed between said dome and nozzle for the passage therethrough of a je'tof atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle and a substantially horizontal plate extending about said venturi-like passage and placed sufliciently close to said dome to be impinged upon' by the flame deflected by said dome when the jet of atomized fuel issuing'from said nozzle is ignited.

4;In a liquid fuel burner, the combination with a hollow dome open at the bottom of a fuel atomizing nozzle having its discharge orifice arranged vertically beneath and substantially axially aligned with said dome, means forming a venturi-like passage substantially axially aligned with said dome and disposed between said dome and nozzle for the passage therethrough of a jet of atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle, a substantially horizontally disposed baffle surrounding said venturi-like passage substantially in the plane of the discharge mouth thereof and placed sufficiently close to said dome to be impinged upon by the flame deflected by said dome when the jet of atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle is ignited, and a plate spaced below said baflle, said plate being provided with an opening substantially axially aligned with said venturi-like passage and with the walls thereof spaced from the discharge orifice of said nozzle whereby to permit air to pass through said opening.

5. In a liquid fuel burner the combination of a fuel atomizing nozzle, a deflector positioned in the path of a jet of fuel issuing from said nozzle and sufficiently close thereto, to cause the stream of hot gases formed by combustion of said fuel to impinge thereon and so shaped as to cause the said stream to thereby be deflected back upon itself, and a second deflector, provided with an aperture through which the jet of atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle may pass, positioned between the first deflector and the nozzle, and sufficiently close to the first deflector to cause the stream of gases deflected by and flow ing from said first deflector to impinge thereon and so shaped as to cause the said impinging stream to thereby be divided into two streams, one flowing inwardly toward the jet issuing from said nozzle, and the otheraway from said jet and out from between the two, deflectors.

6. In a liquid fuel burner the combination of a fuel atomizing nozzle adapted to direct a jet of atomized fuel substantially vertically upward,

a deflector positioned in the path of a jet of fuel issuing from said nozzle and suificiently close thereto to 'cause the stream of hot gases formed by combustion of "said fuel to impinge thereon and so: shaped as to cause the said stream to thereby'be deflected back upon itself, and a second deflector, provided with an aperture through which the jet of atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle may pass, positioned between the first deflector and the nozzle, and sufficiently close to the first'deflectorto cause the stream of gases deflected by and flowing from said first deflector to impinge thereon and so shaped as to;

causethe said impinging stream to thereby be divided intotwo streams, one flowing inwardly toward the jet issuing from said nozzle, and the other away from said jet and out from, between the two deflectors.

'7. In a liquid fuel burner the combination of a fuel atomizing nozzle, a deflector having a concave face positioned in the path of a jet of fuel issuing from, said nozzle and sufliciently close thereto to cause the stream of hot gases formed by combustion of said fuel to impinge'on the concave face thereof and thereby be deflected back upon itself, and a second deflector, comprising a substantially flat plate, provided with an aperture through which the jet of atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle may pass, positioned between the first deflector and the nozzle substantially'at right angles to the path of the jet of fuel issuing from said nozzle, and sufficiently close to the first deflector to cause the stream of gases deflected by and flowing from said first deflector to impinge thereon and therebetween the two deflectors. y g

8,,In-a, liquid fuel burner the combination of a fuel atomiz i'ng nozzle adapted to direct a vjet of atomized fuel substantially vertically upward, a. deflectorhaving a concave face positioned in thepath of-aijet of fuel issuing from said nozzle and sufficiently close thereto to cause the stream of hot gases formed by combustion of said fuel to impinge on the concave face thereof and thereby be deflected back upon itself, and a second deflector, comprising a substantially flat plate, provided with an aperture through which the jet of atomized fuel issuing from said nozzle may pass,-positioned between the first deflector and the nozzle in a substantially horizontal plane, andsufficiently close to the first deflector to cause the stream of gases deflected by and flowing from said first deflector to impinge thereon and thereby be divided into two streams, one-flowing inwardly toward the jet issuing from said nozzle, and the other away from said jet and out from between the two deflectors; s s

- WILLIAM C. MASON. 

